Bradford Unveils Giant Knife Angel to Fight Knife Crime
Bradford has unveiled a dramatic 27-foot statue made from 100,000 knives to launch a powerful anti-violence campaign. The striking sculpture, known as the Knife Angel, was crafted from blades collected in knife amnesty bins across 43 police forces.
Engraved on its wings are heartfelt messages from families devastated by knife crime. Since 2017, the Knife Angel has toured the UK, warning about the dangers of carrying knives and promoting peace.
Stark Reminder of Deadly Knife Crime in the UK
Creator Alfie Bradley revealed that nearly 30% of the knives used were bloodied when collected and had to be sterilised. He called the statue a “stark reminder” of Britain’s knife crime crisis and a “light to follow” in the fight against violence.
The unveiling coincided with Bradford Youth Justice Service’s anti-violence month, aiming to spark awareness across the region.
Officials and Families Unite Against Knife Violence
Bradford’s Mayor Tracy Brabin slammed knife carrying, warning: “If you carry a knife, that knife will be used against you or against someone else at some point.” She hopes the campaign and statue inspire young people to ditch knives and choose a safer path.
The somber event comes after West Yorkshire Police reported that 18-year-old Jamie Meah died in hospital following a stabbing in Armley. A 16-year-old was also injured in the attack but is expected to survive.
Families Speak Out: Knife Crime’s Devastating Toll
Bradley Gledhill’s family continues to warn youth about knife dangers after he was fatally stabbed by a gang in Batley in 2020. His mother Kelly Hubbard pleaded with children to think about the “devastation it leaves behind.”
Bradley’s sister Bryony said: “There were no winners. It’s not just that person’s life that’s taken; it’s your own because you’re going to spend the rest of your life in prison.”
The Knife Angel stands as a brutal reminder and a beacon for change in the fight to end knife crime across the UK.
